Are You Listening?

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13 NLT) As easy as it is for me to write, it’s often very difficult for me to listen well. It’s not that I don’t hear the words, I’m just not very good at hearing what’s behind the words. The feelings, emotions,Continue reading “Are You Listening?”

Are You All In?

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.’” (Matthew 16:24 NLT) What’s the Lord prompting you to do, be, or say that is unusual or out of your proverbial “comfort zone?” Lead a class?Continue reading “Are You All In?”

Worship and Feelings

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.” (Matthew 15:8-9 NLT) The words above, quoted by Jesus from Isaiah 29, challenge me as I ponder exactly what worship IS and why it is so vitallyContinue reading “Worship and Feelings”

Feeling Low?

“Comfort, comfort My people,’ says your God. ‘Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.’ Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, ‘Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straightContinue reading “Feeling Low?”

The Opposite of Joy

“And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.” (I Kings 1:40 NLT) What do you think of when you think of joy? What’s the most joyful occurrence or occasion of your life? Was it yourContinue reading “The Opposite of Joy”

Focus

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT) WhenContinue reading “Focus”

Is Faith an Emotion?

“When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, ‘I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’”(Matthew 8:10 NLT) Faith is a non-religious word. The conversation that led to the above response wasn’t about following Jesus, it was a declaration of anContinue reading “Is Faith an Emotion?”

When God Takes Over

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT) It’s clear to me now, but there was a time I was always seeking to know God’s will. “Lord, what do youContinue reading “When God Takes Over”

To Know God

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3:10-11 NLT) Just as there is a closeness, an intimacy God designed for aContinue reading “To Know God”

Where Did the Love Go?

“Long ago the Lord said to Israel; ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT) It’s easy to love when things are going well, not so much when the bottom drops out. We tend to equate an easy life with beingContinue reading “Where Did the Love Go?”